Obituary of Shirley M. Christensen

Shirley M. Christensen, age 85, of Cambridge, Wisconsin died on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Alden Estates in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She was born on November 13, 1930 to Grant and Hazel (Goede) Bilstad in Edgerton, WI. Shirley was a 1948 graduate of Cambridge High School. On September 10, 1949 she married Earl "Butch" Christensen, who preceded her in death on July 3, 2000. Shirley enjoyed running Shirley's Knit Shop, and worked at Butler for 2 years, Nelson Muffler in Stoughton for 5 years, and worked 10 years at Dean Care in Madison before retiring at age 69. Shirley played Bridge for over 50 years with the same 8 ladies. She enjoyed and was known for her needle work and knitting. After retiring, Shirley enjoyed traveling. She was a member of the Rockdale Lutheran Church. Surviving are 2 daughters: Linda (Dan) Belzer, of Jefferson; Karen Robinson, of Cambridge; 2 sons: Soren Christensen, of Cambridge, and Chris (Kay) Christensen, of Bellingham, WA; 3 grandchildren: Chad (Rhonda Kliensmith) Johnson, Eric Volla, and Heidi (Kurt) Folmer; 5 great grandchildren: Brooke and Kelton Folmer, Emma, Bryce, and Bryan Volla, 2 brothers: Kenneth and Thomas and a sister-in-law Renie (Christensen) Reese of Fremont, CA. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Rollin Bilstad, and a niece Amy Bilstad Krause. Memorial service will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11am at the Rockdale Lutheran Church with visitation from 9am until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family would like any memorials to be made to the Rockdale Lutheran Church in Shirley's honor. Inurnment will be in Rockdale Lutheran Cemetery, Rockdale, WI. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Cambridge, WI is assisting the family.